ParaLong Drive's 5 Goals

1 - Identify the longest and most talented hitters in the world that have overcome illness, injury, and challenges
2 - To put amazing athletes in front of millions of viewers
3 - Promote the therapeutic benefits of ParaLong Drive - stretches muscles, stimulates metabolism, enhances mobility of joints, reduces spasticity, and promotes physical fitness
4 - Create awareness about Golf's absence from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, which many feel would have been the most ideal venue for Golf to make its debut
5 - Create more awareness of competitive disabled golf

Comments from key leaders in competitive disabled golf

“Dean’s organization kind of bridges the gap among the adaptive golf organizations,” said Kenny Green, Executive Director of the National Amputee Golf Association. “He’s opened the door so golfers with other disabilities can compete on the same stage. We support his organization, and he supports ours.”

VIDEOS

Brendon Jacks

Name: Brendon Jacks

Residence: Phoenix, Arizona resident

Family: Wife – Jennifer Children – Alivia 10 James 6

Occupation: Distribution supervisor, and Shipping & Receiving Inventory Supervisor

Golf Organizations Affiliations: ParaLong Drive

Notable Achievements: First ParaLong Drive athlete to crack the 400 - yard barrier & Runner-up in several ParaLong Drive events

Longest drive in Tennessee ParaLong Drive events: 353 yards

Longest drive in other ParaLong Drive events: 401 yards

Athletic background: Was a prospect to get drafted into professional baseball as a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher who could throw in the low 90’s

How you became injured: Below-knee amputee from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
He is one of the most admired and respected athletes in ParaLong Drive, he has overcome drug and alcohol additions as a teen to become an inspiration to many

Favorite professional long driver: Tim Burke

Tyler Bunn

Name: Tyler Bunn

Residence: Knoxville, TN

Family: Mom – Joan, Dad – David , Twin Brother – Davis, Older brother - Brandon

Occupation: Student at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Golf organization Affiliations:
Paralong Drive

Longest drive at University of Tennessee ParaLong Drive Event: 190 yards (1 arm)

Longest Drive at Tennessee National ParaLong Drive event: 223 yards (1 arm)

Athletic Background: I have been playing golf since I was about 10 years old. I played my best golf during high school, and I try to play and practice as much as I can.

How you became injured: Born with Cerebral Palsy

Favorite professional long driver: Jason Zuback

 

Tracy Ramin

Name: Tracy Ramin

Residence: Montrose, MI resident

Family: Girlfriend - Sophia Bong

Children: Cruz Ramin Active Duty Army and Jules Ramin senior in high school

Occupation: Golf instructor teaching pro

Golf Organization Affiliations: National Amputee Golf Association, USAGA, Board member MICHIGAN Amputee Golf Association

Notable Achievements: Semi-finalist in several ParaLong Drive events

Longest drive in other ParaLong Drive Events: 307 yards (Mesquite, NV)

Athletic Background: Winner of the MAGA state tournament - 2010 and 2012 Played basketball all through high school still schools best team

How you became injured: Was hit as a pedestrian by a pickup traveling 80mph

Favorite Professional Long Driver: Tim Burke

 

Daryl Rossi

Name: Daryl Rossi

Residence: Santa Rosa Ca

Family: Wife: April Children- Vince and Dante Grandchildren- Liam

Occupation: Fiber Optic Engineer for Comcast

Golf organization affiliations: NCGA Member WAGA Member,

Home Course: Oakmont GC Santa Rosa

Longest drive in ParaLong Drive event: First Long Drive Event, 9 HCP golfer

How you became injured: Birth Defect
Athletic background-
9 handicap golfer, played in 2 WAGA Tournaments 3rd place Low net overall 1st low gross arm division
High School Varsity Letter in Baseball High
Golfing since age 12
Oakmont GC 2 man best ball Champions
27 years playing Competitive Men's Softball Slow and Fast Pitch, Favorite pastime Playing Golf with my Wife and Sons

Favorite professional long driver: Ryan Winther

Josh Williams

Name: Josh Williams

Residence: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Family: Only child, mother Linda and Father Duane

Occupation: Mobile Service Carrier for Canada Post

Golf organization affiliations: Canadian Amputee Golf Association

Notable accomplishments: Semi-finalist in several ParaLong Drive events

Longest drive in Tennessee ParaLong Drive events: 327 yards

Longest drive in other ParaLong Drive events: 340 yards

Athletic background: 2 time National Champion in USA Amputee Golf, 4 time Canadian National Champion, and 1 South African Disabled Golf Championship. 3 time Michigan state Amputee Golf Champion

Other Athletic background: Ranked 15th in the world for 100m and 200m T44 class in 1999 at age 14

How you became injured: Fell out of our family boat at our cottage in July 1991 at age 6. The propeller caused enough damage to require amputation.

Favorite professional long driver: Jason Zuback 5 time World Long Drive Champion 1996-1999 and 2006

Jared Brentz

Name: Jared Brentz

Residence: Knoxville, TN

Family: Wife – Erin

Occupation: Security expert at Pilot Flying J

Golf organization affiliations: ParaLong Drive

Achievements: 7-time winner of ParaLong Drive events

Longest drive in Tennessee ParaLong Drive events: 367 yards

Longest drive in other ParaLong Drive events: 409 yards (Currently the longest drive in a ParaLong Drive event)

Athletic background: In high school, he was a four-year Letterman in both golf and wrestling

How you became injured: He is a twin and was born with “arthro – gryposis” and club feet

Favorite professional long driver: Jeff Crittenden

Nick Stillwell

Name: Nick Stilwell

Residence: Ocala, FL

Family: Parents John & Susie Stilwell

Occupation: President and Founder of the Never Say Never Foundation, and Ossur Americas Product Champion

Golf Organization Affiliations: AGA member

Longest Drive at Tennessee ParaLong Drive events: 322 yards

Athletic Background: Played baseball, football, and wrested in high school. Golf recreationally since I was 13. Play competitive softball now and stay active as possible.

How you became injured: Fell out of a bus and got ran over losing both my legs below the knee. That was 8 years ago today 7/10, how awesome I get to compete on this day!!!

Favorite professional long driver: Tim Burke

Dean Jarvis

Name: Dean Jarvis

Residence: Maryville, TN

Family: Girlfriend - Shawna Williams Children: Will and Thomas

Occupation: State Farm agent

Golf organization affiliations: National Amputee Golf Association, and USAGA

Longest drive in Tennessee ParaLong Drive events: 272 yards

Longest drive in other ParaLong Drive events: 310 yards

Athletic background: Averaged 24,5 PPG in high school basketball before contracting cancer, and hit over .400 in high school baseball after contracting cancer and reconstruction of fused left leg

How you became injured: Fractured left knee from a fall playing basketball, temporarily fused left leg which led to above-knee amputation soon after

Favorite professional long driver:
Bart Hartsell

Brian Woliver

Name: Brian Woliver

Residence: Kingsport, TN

Family: Wife - Jana Woliver Son - Brently Woliver

Occupation: Medically Retired Marines

Golf Organization Affiliations: Salute Military Golf Association

Longest Drive in Tennessee ParaLong Drive Events: First event

Athletic background: Played football since I was 6 until graduating High School. I also wrestled throughout my teen years.

How you became injured: Improvised Explosive Device ( roadside bomb) resulting in Traumatic Brain Injury.

Favorite Professional Long Driver:
Jamie Sadlowski

 

Steve Ehretsman

Name: Steve Ehretsman

Residence: Atlanta, GA

Family: Never been married and no children, yet

Occupation: Founder & CEO, Shamrock Prosthetics Inc in Athens, GA

Golf organization affiliations: Longest drive in Tennessee ParaLong Drive events - 1st event

Longest drive in other ParaLong Drive events: 1st event

Athletic background: Captain of Boston University basketball team.

How you became injured: In 2001, was crushed between two cars walking into a fast food restaurant in Atlanta. 13 surgeries later, underwent a Below knee amputation in 2002

Favorite professional long driver: Dean Jarvis for starting all of this, and Dustin Johnson on PGA Tour

Kenny Green

Name: Kenny Green

Residence: Smyrna, TN

Family: Wife - Christie Children – Aiden and Myles

Occupation: Patient Care Coordinator at Fourroux Prosthetics

Golf organization affiliations: National Amputee Golf Association, Southern Amputee Golf Association, National Wheelcats, and USAGA

Longest drive in Tennessee ParaLong Drive events: 344 yards

Athletic background: 5 time National Champion in USA Amputee Golf, and 1 Canadian National Championship; Former Middle Tennessee State University golfer, led the team in scoring his Senior year

How you became injured: Congenital birth defect

Favorite professional long driver: Will Hogue

Dr. Lucian Newman III

Name: Dr. Lucian Newman III

Residence: Gadsden, AL

Family: Children Walton Newman Vandervoort- SanDiego Lucian Newman IV- tuscaloosa , al

Occupation: Surgeon, Chairman BCBS Physician Advisory Board- CMO- Founder Vincari-medical software

Golf organization affiliations: National Amputee Golf Association

Notable achievements: 9 National Championships in Amputee Golf

Longest drive in Tennessee ParaLong Drive events: 298 yards

Longest drive in other ParaLong Drive events: 302 yards

Athletic background: 2 time overall Senior Amputee national champion- 7 time Arm Amputee division National Champion- Top Ten Alabama state amateur 1985- 7 time champion Gadsden Country Club- Etowah County Sports Hall of Fame- 2 time All-State football (high school) Lettered 5 sports in high school

How you became injured: Injured hunting in tree stand 2005-left above elbow amputee

Humberto Reyna

Name: Humberto Reyna

Residence: Liberty, NC

Family: Wife-Kay Reyna, Children- Braxton 25, Rebecca 22, Kayli 18

Occupation: Disabled Retired State Trooper

Golf organization affiliations: Paralongdrive Cup, Siler City Country Club

Longest drive in Tennessee ParaLong Drive events: 250 yards

Athletic background: Right handed golfer prior to line of duty injury, switched to left handed golf

How you became injured: Sustained a traumatic brain injury along with multiple other injuries in the line of duty as a NC State Trooper on 11-23-2009. Was investigating a collision on the interstate and was rear ended at 75mph.

Favorite professional long driver: Pat Dempsey

 

More Information
Dean Jarvis
Founder
Amputee Long Drive Championship, &
ParaLong Drive
L_dean_jarvis@yahoo.com
2121 E. Broadway Ave.
Maryville, TN 37804
Phone: (865) 748-0771